A OP Satellite

[God_of_Stars]

Who can make a Satellite fly like this? (I invite Scott Manley to take this challenge!)

http://postimg.org/image/y63larms5/

IT MUST KEEP FLYING IN THIS ROUTE FOREVER WITHOUT CONTROLLING IT.

BTW, can you teach me how to post photos on the post? I dont know how to do it.

Seems that the satellite i want to make is impossible....

Then how about make a satellite that can fly forever but it must escape the Kerbin once. (I invite Scott Manley to take this challenge again!)

Like this:

http://postimg.org/image/xgas9orqd/

Edited October 7, 2014 by God_of_Stars

[Xeldrak]

I'm sorry - this is simply not a viable trajectory for several reasons. For example every pass around the moon would be a gravity-assist, changing you orbit.

This is not a matter of skill but of physics.

[Oafman]

The image does not specify that the satellite's orbit has to be on the same plane as that of the moon. It's a view from 'above', which does not show much about inclination.

So you could just put it into an inclined orbit where it does not enter the SoI of the Mun. Which is so easy it does not make a worthwhile challenge.

You could specify an equatorial orbit, but as has been pointed out, eventually your satellite will run into the Mun's SoI, and change the orbit. So it is impossible to permanently maintain such an orbit.

[GoSlash27]

The sidereal rotation also makes this impossible in KSP. The apogee would have to be readjusted eastward at each visit to perigee.

Best,

-Slashy

[Red Iron Crown]

It might be possible in a retrograde orbit (direction reversed from that shown in the diagram). Arrange it so that the orbital period is an even divisor of the Mun's and have it never enter the Mun's SoI.

No way to test it "forever", and it's not possible to make it exactly an even divisor so the orbit will eventually drift far enough to encounter the Mun and throw the whole thing off.

[StainX]

Maybe this would work with infinite fuel cheat and kOS

[Oafman]

It might be possible in a retrograde orbit (direction reversed from that shown in the diagram). Arrange it so that the orbital period is an even divisor of the Mun's and have it never enter the Mun's SoI.

No way to test it "forever", and it's not possible to make it exactly an even divisor so the orbit will eventually drift far enough to encounter the Mun and throw the whole thing off.

True, but I guess it could be shown mathematically that it would retain that orbit 'forever'

[2001kraft]

I'm sorry - this is simply not a viable trajectory for several reasons. For example every pass around the moon would be a gravity-assist, changing you orbit.

This is not a matter of skill but of physics.

Actually, if you put it in a polar orbit it might work.

[sdj64]

If God_Of_Stars means to have it go into the Mun's SOI and back out, it's impossible.

If, on the other hand, he means simply to cross above the Mun's SOI in the orbital path, then it's certainly possible. (not exactly forever, but close enough that it will never encounter the Mun in a normal game)

The orbit is not inclined and does cross directly over the Mun's orbit.

Start (MET = 11 days)

One year later (MET = 1 year 29 days)

Orbital period of exactly 1.609 days

I used Kerbal Engineer so I could see the orbital period of my satellite.

[TJPrime]

BTW, can you teach me how to post photos on the post? I dont know how to do it.

Assuming it worked first time, you need to have

The link is what you put it on, so those links.... yeah...

UPDATE: didn't work first time, it works better with www.imgur.com. I recommend using that instead of postimg - much easier to use, and all you need to do is make an account FREE!

[Red Iron Crown]

I don't think you can post images until you have 5 posts or more.